The chief executive of Rolls-Royce said demand for their luxury cars is rebounding helped by sales in Asia and is optimistic about the outlook for next year after the coronavirus pandemic hit consumer confidence and closed dealerships. Torsten Muller-Otvos said the demand meant Rolls-Royce was the first car company to resume car production in the United Kingdom on May 4, “We see a very fruitful … [Read more...]
Retail News
Mind over marketing and your wellbeing
A webinar dedicated to helping individuals look after their wellbeing through the pressures created by the coronavirus pandemic is being held this month by the Vehicle Remarketing Association. “How to Stay Well in a Time of Crisis,” will take place at 3pm on Thursday 10 September and is open to all members of the VRA. Speakers include Prash Kotecha of Mantra Consulting, who will present on … [Read more...]
Rising demand for independent garages
A new independent garage recruitment drive is underway for epyx’s long-established 1link Service Network. It has been prompted by existing customer demand for a wider choice of outlets and new customers joining the platform wanting to continue to use existing suppliers not currently on the network - as well as the effects of the coronavirus crisis creating a bottleneck of both MOT testing and … [Read more...]
Spartan Motor Factors buy 70 MB Citan vans
Its acquisition in March by MWR Sales Limited – part of the Tetrosyl Group – prompted South Wales-based Spartan Motor Factors to commission a new fleet of 70 Mercedes-Benz vans. All small Citan models, they were ply-lined and applied with vinyl wrap liveries, then inspected prior to delivery, at Ciceley Commercials’ dedicated Van Preparation Centre. Despite the scale of the task, the … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi Outlander is pointer to future evs
A new survey conducted by Kadence International global market research company on behalf of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has revealed the meaningful role that plug-in hybrids play in the transition to a future of fully electric mobility. The survey of more than 1,000 Mitsubishi drivers, split almost equally amongst plug-in hybrid drivers and those with conventional internal combustion engines … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 September
Drivers caught by cameras watching bus lanes in Cardiff had to fork out over £1.85M last year, said comparethemarket insurance. But that contrasts with nearly £8.4M in penalty charges imposed in Manchester and around £14M for London boroughs. As they move closer together the next generation small cars from Fiat Chrysler will be developed from the floorpans used by PSA Group marques. That … [Read more...]
Bigger Nugget is latest find from Ford
The Ford Transit Custom Nugget is now available in a long wheelbase version, adding even greater flexibility for adventure-loving customers. The extended wheelbase uses the extra length to provide a built-in toilet, wash basin and additional interior storage space. Based on Ford’s market-leading Transit Custom van, the Transit Custom Nugget has been developed in partnership with camper … [Read more...]
Women worry less than men buying a car
Women worry less than men about buying a car, reveals new research. Online-only car supermarket BuyaCar.co.uk say men are three times more likely than women to report feeling 'wary' of buying a car without seeing it first. But as well as being more relaxed about the online car-buying experience than men - with many females particularly valuing not having to deal with a pushy salesperson … [Read more...]
Buyers back in the driving seats
Car buyers are flocking back to showrooms and forecourts, said the National Franchised Dealers Association. Through the findings, NFDA aims to assess the implications of the COVID-19 lockdown on the automotive retail sector and understand how the industry is now recovering. Their survey asked dealers questions about their return to work including the percentage of dealerships that reopened, … [Read more...]
Newslines 28 August
A classic £1 Million Aston Martin DB5 similar to models in the James Bond films has been stolen in daylight from an address in Cheshire. There is a £1,000 reward for information leading to its recovery and the car is virtually unsaleable due to its rarity. Tesla is rumoured to be close to developing production batteries that are up to 50% more energy compact inside four years. It would … [Read more...]